Racing resumes after thaw

CALGARY, Alberta - Stampede Park plans to resume racing Friday after missing three complete cards and part of another due to extreme cold and heavy snowfall.

Last Friay's card was called to a halt after five races and the Saturday, Sunday, and Wednesday cards also were called off.

On Wednesday, the Stampede racing office took entries for Friday and Saturday programs, with nine races carded each day.

Minimus, winner of the Sales Stakes for 3-year-old fillies last fall at Northlands Park and third in the older fillies and mares Sales Stakes here in her season debut, heads a field of six in Friday's featured eighth race.

An aptly named daughter of Chicago Six, Minimus is small in stature but runs big for trainer Red Smith. She got good last summer, winning four races culminating with her Sales Stakes triumph while moving up in class each start.

Minimus draws the rail, is in for a $40,000 claiming price under the allowance conditions, and is reunited with rider Richard Mangalee, who captured his first Alberta stakes victory aboard her last September.

Smith also saddles R Beau Genes, who drew post 5 with leading rider Quincy Welch up. The pair will race uncoupled for parimutuel purposes.

Stone Justice is the closer in the field and comes off a good closing effort here April 5. Stone Justice has a good wet-track record, and some type of "off" going seems likely for the Friday card.